Golf training and recording apparatus



Dec. 28, 1948.

2 shears-sheet 1 i i Filed May 13, 1947 INVENTOR.

BY /fv-afavg Dec. 28, 1948.

R. CROWLEY GOLF TRAINING AND RECORDING APPARATUS' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13, 1947 Patented Dec. 28, 1948 GOERT'BRAINING AN'DREGDRUING'L- APPARMIUS4 Miti present. inventiom le. a novel andie'ioient golf. training.;-y apparatus; and isJ ani improvement over* the:` devices: illustrated; and describedz in L mypnibnBatents Nos; .2;;580.and. 2,169,407;

Importants objeotsiof" thmpresent invention `are tra simplify; and* improve; my saldi prior. devices bn" presenting more practical"l andi expeditious adjusting arrangements andfbyf the addition of. monercompleteagauging; apparatus; wherebyevery. dieta-ih oilthe:l stance.w and., hitting@ are: of ai golf'` may be recorded for. purposes-of instruct--V tiom, practice; and' reference.

I have discovered. from manxiyears of;` study, as; ai golfi professional: thatVv almost.. every' golfer whem addressi'ngf at balli. shows? af slightsand'. individual: variation asf-to stance# Whiole isi gener allyv4 anceptedsto include? the: actual position: ofvv the'et, ther-distanceziionn the? feet? ton the,l balk, the? positiom ot' theeA balli laterally@l ins. relation` tw the test1 Amig, ot: course; as:iss Weil* known;A ai.. mogen stance is: a. necessary7 requisite? for; any; desiring-z toibecome: proficient: im golfg. and',` fizrther; will: assist: greatly." in enahlingcanriexpert player to obtain the best results.

Alsfromxmwtests .Iz-have fourrdfthaisthe priine diicnlty: im anquiringr a'. proper stance arises: not finonn determining thefmost. eiiiiierrli position; fon eaoh player; but.- from.- being@ able.y to: remember snehposition: andz. rrep'eat'adlyl duplicate?. the :same:v 'Bhissis most .importanti inigo'lf; evem theivarima tionofiafraotioniof aninch int tl'iefwidthiof tiie space. between the. feet; or: of: the. distance; fzconrr` the: feet'itoitheflalli orroiflthe fonwand or. backs wardipositiom of. the? bail i in 1 relation: to; tries reet;1 will; @tenti-'mesi cause; ai substantial; margini offf. error? in; ae playens: resultings strelc'e.l

It@ isi, therfefore.. mosti.: desirable. to` het ablef tot determine the proper stance and also tofbee able: toa resend: the: samer quickly and; accurately for tuntherfreference.. Thus, bnfemployingfmy novel: apparatus I'. may.v acoomplisi such?. dualere'sult, dierebn ei'eoting.; a valuable." saving;A inl aimez-for;

' an: instruaton in: not; haring; to.` repeatedly. reposition-i hispupi1+-for .apracticar: ande. am expert; imA not; having.; toi.' pnapticef omexperiment with; an'v impropenstanceiwliene chenkingr, his.` game?.v

It? is; further: Well settledi in: golf: thatfthe: most` sucoessul' method lofi` hitting; the golf.; hall ,f;pan i'ftml'aa'lav on shotsxwhere: a'substantial'i amountzof distanceiisroquiredg,isrto have the? c'lubsheadi apf-A preaulnthefball: in.' an: are: slightly fronn the: im sides-out and thence straight. thru the-'balli one the. desired. line ofi flight.. In: puttingi andj in playing, short approachv on chipshots; hoWever,. it' ispreferably to keep the club-head1pamallelto the: line; of.. flightg. and I1. have; therefore.- designed my: nere-l.tminihg;,nstruetiongA andlreeondingal ap parati/1s', with. adjustabl guiding means so that. ati all. times, afplaynmay: have. a propen direntL indibaton fon thee clubehe'aldl Whether,

. 2`l driving, ,playing' full- Woodor. ironshots, pitching, chipping or" putting..l

. In, Qarryingi out-l my! invention; I-. provideaffplurality of! universally2 interlocking, adjustable; and: maneuverable. guides provided With:- lrneasur.d ingindieesfor recording,everyfindividual' detail of a. golf-1 plaxeriss stance.,- and; manuallv operable meanssuchsassetscrevvsL or theflilee; to; loektthe guides; When.- inf desired. adjustment; and. in' ad-` dition;l I provide. at bal1l=hitting area.- readily? ad-'- justable 13d-actas af directionallaidion the club lieadontboth the, baolezand down-,swing for: every; type of shot.

Referring'. tofthe drawings.l illustrating a, preeq f erredfembodiment: of :myf invention Figs, Lis al-pian viewoffmy; apparatus;

Eiga 2;v is ann, enlarged,v viewfpart'lyfinz cross-see,- tion"= onty the linerA 2-2; of Figi. looleinge,r inthe direotionsot the:V arrows.

Eig, .l-:is an enlarged-1.119artiaflplan..View.y showingg the? ballem'easuring;` quadrant;A

Fig., 5; is#A an.` enlarged perspective View;L partly broken` analisiV showing't-h foetz-adjusting.;l quadrantaconstruction;

Referringitofthefdravvinga,l andi. 2 designate: two substantially paralleli bars; preferably rec:- tangular in shape and made of wood, plastid: meta-1,. on thevlikef,4 and spaoed apart: toxprovide a` hitting; .areaa thru( which: the: clubhead.- may; travell to; strike aeball* 3;. Oneendz ofi saidt strip f 2f. is. slightlycurved, asi atj 4,. thefv degree: of. said cur-veheing predeterminedl as; suggestive off the: most, effective: path'. fori the: cluloheaclI to, iollov/7 as'4 it.. approaches :the: ball3.

Gonneetingffsaid,b'arsi: I? and,v 2` nearfeach; endl thereof andi thru suitable:v Openingsvv thereini aref identical rodsv 5 5, each of which rodsare formed. witl'nthr-eadstonI one'end torreceiveja stoprrut' 6 to support thebarr la and .a knurle'dithumbza nut. 'Lr tov cooperate with.; said; nutA Bi ini lackingi and.: retaining said .barI AI in;.fixed#position The 'ban-Zli'sa adapted# to .siidexonn said ronds;` Eeandato* bei ad#- justablx securediatzanyl desired.sdistarrce from: thefl bar I, and is thus provided".Withzsuitably;tapped: openingsson its-.top sutaeeitosreeeivercorrespondingly threadedfzknurledthumh screws 8;-B.to1im'- pingeV againstathef rodswEE-- Where desired, for locking? engagement'therewith;

Centrallyy of: the? bar- 2f andy secured; thereto. byv anM'suita-blemean's, su'oh as aipairofV smalle-crews? 9. and corresponding; nuts; Ill;A is the#` attaching iiange Ill or; aiplatei izttherrearwardly extending; portion. of. which plate'. lf2 carries;v aI swinging'-I quadrant. I 4e whichi, ini turn; ist rigidly; connected;

to one end of a longitudinal rulegauge |15.: by;

spaced rivets |16 and.. lh, Enteringgcorresponding openings thrusaddiplate: In; .saidiquadrant |44 andi said gauge I5 between said rivets I 6 and I1 is a screw I8 provided with an adjusting thumb nut Mounted on a'screw 2l housedy near the extremity of said guage I5 is a pivot block 20 formed with a diametrical opening therethru to receive in hinged association a measuring frame 22 uni' versally movable, and having cooperating therewith a ball-locating slide 22 comprising a cross member 23 and depending slide members 24--24 adapted to frictionally engage the sides of' said frame 22 and thus remain in desired position during measuring and recording use. l

The upper surface oft the plate I2 is marked accurately with a centre line 25 to be used as a guide for the zero mark on the degree markings 26 etched von the quadrant I4. With .this measuring arrangement, it is thus` possible for an instructor or a player t'o determine the exact distance of the ball 3 from the end-of the rule gauge I5 and also the number of degrees to the left or right of the centre line that the ball is positioned. Slidably mounted on said guage 'I5 is a rectangular tube `28 carrying a swinging quadrant 29, similar to I4 already described, and of greater width than sai tube 28, whichl quadrant 29 may be locked in adjusted position to said tube 28 by turning a thumb nut 30. Said tube 28 is also marked with a centre line y3| to serve as a guide for lining up the zero mark on degree markings 32 suitably etched on the front end of the quadrant 29. Drilled at the opposite end of said quadrant 29 and adjacent the overhanging edges thereof are a pair of holes to receive the ends of bolts 34-34, secured by nuts 33`33, the heads of which bolts 34-34 carry a cross tube 35 extending transversely below the'vertical tube 28, the Shanks of said bolts 34-34 between said quadrant 29 and said cross-tube 35 being fitted with spacers 36-36 to retain the assembly in desired spaced relation.

In the cross-tube 35 lslides a transverse rulegauge31 which cooperates with a shorter lateral rule gauge 38and the longitudinal gaugel I5 to deiine the' position of a players feet when addressing the ball 3. l

Said gauges 31 and 38 are pivotally connected by a novel teescoping arrangement comprising sleeves 39 and 40, and rodsI 4I and 42, said sleeve 39 and rod 4I being pivotally fixed at 43 and 44,

respectively, to said gauges 38 and 31; whereas said sleeves 40 and rod 42 are yadjustably joined to said gauges 38 and 31 by a pair of stirrups 45 and 46, respectively, which stirrups may be locked in proper adjusted position-by a pair of thumb nuts 41 andf48.

With my simple and quickly adjustable feetpositioning section, it is thus possible for -an instructor to effectively service players with widely differing stances, to accurately record same for future reference and, if desired, to also utilize the cross-gauges 31 and 38 as directional guides parallel to the line of `flight.

In utilizing my apparatus as an instruction medium for beginners, I rst adjust the bar 2 so thatit extends paralleltothe bar I and sufficiently spaced therefrom to provide an adequate hitting area, and then line up the zero marks on the quadrants I4 and 29 with the centre lines 25 and 3|', respectively, on the plate I2 and the tube 28 so that the longitudinal rule-gauge I5 is positioned precisely at right angles to the bar 2, said gauge I5 approximating the line of a club shaft when addressing the ball 3.

I then set the cross-gauges 31 `at right angles to the gauge I5 and parallelto the bars I arid '2,

and adjust the telescoping connectors angularly and suitably spaced to represent the players proper feet location, preferably as shown in Fig. 1, with the 'sleeve39 closer to tliec'enter'line gauge I5 than thesleeve 40, and with the gauge 38 substantially parallel to the gauge 31, although the gauge 38 will be angularly positioned for each diierent type of shot.

I now have my pupil straddle the gauge I5 with his feet positioned within and at the angles indicated by the sleeves 39 and 9B, and after sliding the-tube forwardly or backwardly on the gauge I5 until the players club head rests midway between the bars I and 2, I place the ball 3 centrally and in front of the club face, which, of course, in this instance Would be slightly to the leftof'the frame 22, when straight-away extended. Thus positioned, the new player is properly stanced and in readiness to receive instruction in theswing and a'preferred method of hitting the ball, in the teaching of which I I ind that the directional relation of the bars I and 2, and particularly the curved end 4 V`of the bar 2, serve as excellent guides for developing a correct manner of v'starting the clubheadon the back swing, of illustrating a proper are' for the clubhead to follow'a's it approaches the ball,and of providing'a directional alley for the follow-through. f f f f In adapting my apparatus to the'expert player, I have discovered that it is invaluable asa source of reference. When the experienced golfer is at the peak of his gaine', I direct him to't'ake his stance with the club addressing the ball and then proceed to quickly assemble my ydevice about him, recording the exact measurements "of each detail of such stance; as indicated by the iigures'on each of the rulegauges I5, 31, and 38, and the degree markingsZS and 32 on the quadrants I4 and 29, respectively. Y y 5^ i The measurements shown on the crossgauges 31 and 38 where the stirrups`45 and 46 arcattached thereto will reproduce the angle and location of reach foot and in cooperation with the free end of the gaugev I5 will determine the. position f of each foot laterallyin'relation to the ball 3.

The ,distance from the feet to the ballwill be measured on the gauge I5 where it crosses the gauge 31 plus the distance -frornthe end of-said gauge I5 to the ball 3 determined by swinging't'he frame 22 and sliding the cross-member 23 over the ball, and as `thus assembled 'swinging the frame back again for-measuring on Ithe 'rulef gauge I5. f

With reference to the proposed line of flight, the exact angle of the club from the grip to -theball 3 will be obtained from the degree markings 32 on the quadrant 29 in relation to the centre line 3I on the tube 28. Similarly the number )of degrees to the left or'right of centre that the ball is positioned may be recorded from the degree markings26 on the quadrant I4 in relation to the centreline 25 on the plate' I2. By'thus -recording such measurements when a player is at the top of his game, I obtain valuable data which is readily available when 'this same player is playing poorly, and needs assistance, as I can quickly assemble my apparatus as per his chart, which enables him to automatically assume his most eicient stance,r and assists him in getting back on his game at once.

When using my invention as a practice device, I find that the universal adjustability of all'the parts, the speed of assembly and ready' detachability of each section, and the simplicity and ac1` curacy of the measuring media-are all vit-a1 Vfactors in helping a golfer with each type of shot and in mastering each club from the putter to the driver.

In utilizing my device for putting practice, I prefer to employ a skeleton assembly comprising the bars I and 2 connected at their right ends by the rod 5 `as above explained but at the opposite ends by a wicket 50, the depending sides of which fit into suitable openings iQ-59. Thus positioned, the bars I and 2 present a narrow alley with an open end to permit passage oi a ball therethru and also serve as excellent guides for the putting stroke, and may be conveniently set up indoors or on a practice putting green.

In adapting my device to the practice of chip and short approach shots, I employ a similar skeleton set-up as for putting but with the exception that I replace the wicket 50 with the alternate bar assembly 5, 6, 1, and 8, preferably having the bars I and 2 spaced farther apart, but again stressing the parallel feature of said bars I and 2 as a directional aid for both the back swing, the hit and the follow-thru.

For practicing the longer shots-that is iron and wooden club shots requiring a full swing-I can, yof course, utilize my chipping assembly to advantage, if desired, but generally I ncl it advisable to set up the complete apparatus, which is readily accomplished by sliding the fore end of the longitudinal gauge I5 with its accompanying quadrant I Il and ball measuring frame 22 thru the tube 28 and attaching such gauge assembly to the plate I2 on the bar 2 by means of the screw I8 and nut I9; then sliding the free end of the cross-gauge 31 thru the tube 35 and completing the assembly by connecting the rear cross-gauge 38 with its pivoted sleeve 39 telescoping with the rod 4I on said gauge 31 and the stirrups 4B and 45 fitted ion the opposite ends of the gauges 31 and 38, respectively, with pivoted sleeve 4'0 likewise telescoping with pivoted rod 42. Thus set up, the practicer -can easily and quickly adjust the apparatus -or any part thereof in experimenting with differing stances and swings until he nnds those that produce the best results. Then, of course, he can note all pertinent measurements recorded during 'his most favorable playing for future reference.

It will be appreciated from the drawings that my apparatus, as shown, is 4adapted for use by right-handed playing golfers, but it is so constructed that by upsetting the bar 2 so that the curved end is at the opposite end, and also upsetting the cross-gauges 31 and 38 (provided with rule markings on each side) it can be used by left-handed players.

It will thus be seen that I have provided in an extremely simple, inexpensive, and efficient construction a novel and improved golf training and recording apparatus, universally adjustable for u-se by all golfers with whatever type of stance and swing, and particularly adapted for golf professionals in their instruction of the proper stance and swing, for experts as a reference medium, and for practicers of every type of shot from the drive to the putt.

In Fig. 1 I have shown in dotted lines the imprints of a players foot illustrating several positions in which such feet may be measured. As

long as the toe or heel, or both, of either or both 7o feet are in contact with either or both of the cross-gauges 31 and 38, and are also longitudinally positioned against either the inside or the outside of one oi the sleeves 39 or 4B, a players feet location may readily be recorded and cataloged for the purpose of reference and instruction, so that in the future any desired foot position may be reproduced.

I claim:

1. A golf training and recording apparatus ci the kind described, comprising clubhead swingguiding means and adjustable stance-locating means, means perpendicular to said swingguid ing mean-s and adjustably connecting therewith said stance-locating means, ball-position indicating means universally pivoted on said perpendicular means, in combination with measuring means to measure the position of each foot of a player, the distance and angle from each foot to a ball to be struck, the location of each foot relatively to the other foot and to the perpendicular means, and the location of said ball in relation to said perpendicular means.

2. A golf training and recording apparatus of the kind described, comprising a pair of adjustable substantially parallel swing guide bars spaced to receive a golf ball therebetween, means on one of said guide bars to detachably secure a longitudinal rule gauge perpendicular to said bars, means slidable on said rule gauge adapted to slidably receive a cross rule gauge, a second cross rule gauge, and telescoping means connecting said cross gauges pivotally adjustable to simulate and reproduce the angular feet location of a player, and measuring mean-s on said gauges whereby vital details of any golfers stance may be accurately recorded.

3. A golf training, practicing, and recording apparatus comprising a pair of adjustable and substantially parallel swing-guiding bars to be positioned lengthwise in the direction of the line of flight of a golf ball to be struck by a club-head, one end of said inner bar curved to represent a preferred hitting arc for said clubhead, a pair of rods adjacent each end of said bars and adjustable connections between said rods and said bars permitting variation in spacing the bars, iiXed means on said inner bar to detachably secure one end of a longitudinal gauge perpendicular to said bars, a universally pivoted ball-locating member mounted adjacent said end of the gauge, means adjustably slidable on said gauge and carrying cross-means to slidably receive a transverse gauge, a shorter transverse gauge crossing said longitudinal gauge adjacent the free end thereof, adjustable telescoping means connecting both of said transverse gauges whereby the feet location of a player may be simulated, and measuring means on said gauges and on quadrants carried by said gauges to accurately determine the position of the player relatively to the location and the intended line of night of the ball.

ROBERT CROWLEY.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Crowley Aug. 15, 1939 Number 

